Tea market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The Zambian tea market volume showed significant growth across the 2018–2023 period, rising from 1 555 metric tons to 2 096 metric tons. This overall expansion of nearly 35% was marked by a notable contraction in 2020, followed by a sharp rebound and subsequent stabilization.

A pivotal surge occurred in 2021, when the market volume jumped by over 30% to 1 991 metric tons. This increase coincided with a steep rise in import volumes, which more than doubled from 2020 levels and continued to climb through 2023. Domestic production, meanwhile, remained relatively stable around 970 metric tons annually throughout these years.

Production tea in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Zambia's tea production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 963.8 t of tea, marking a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 985.4 t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1.7 t, then surged to a peak of 15.5 t in 2020, representing a dramatic 819.8% increase from the previous year. This created a 9.2-fold difference between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 49.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania were Zambia's primary tea export destinations, accounting for 44.1%, 26.1%, and 11.6% of exports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented 81.9% of Zambia's total tea exports during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 17 000 US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 145 000 US dollars in 2020, representing a substantial 750.5% increase from the previous year. This created an 8.7-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 49.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania consistently dominated Zambia's tea exports in value terms, accounting for 46.2%, 29.5%, and 11.2% respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 86.9% of Zambia's total tea export value during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Zambia's tea import volumes declined. In 2020, the country imported 553.0 t of tea, representing an 8.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 607.1 t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi were Zambia's primary sources of tea imports, accounting for 48.4%, 27.3%, and 16.2% of imports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented 91.9% of Zambia's total tea imports during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's tea import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 464 000 US dollars, representing a 23.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 12.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 753 000 US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Zimbabwe remained Zambia's key partners for tea imports in value terms, together accounting for 86.9% of total import value. Other countries represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2017-2020